SARASOTA CHARITIES

Big Brothers Big Sisters of the Sun Coast is celebrating its 50TH Anniversary

On November 18, 1968, Big Brothers of Venice was formally chartered. Big Brothers Big Sisters of the Sun Coast is proud to announce the celebration of its 50th Anniversary with a Celebration Luncheon (fundraiser) on November 15 and an Open House on November 29. This significant milestone is a testament to the staying power of the agency and the profound positive impact of mentoring in the lives of thousands of area children throughout the last 50 years. As the President and CEO of Big Brothers Big Sisters of the Sun Coast for 35 years, Joy Mahler has helped at-risk children to navigate the tremendous socio-emotional, academic, and behavioral challenges they face, and create a pathway to a life of promise. Children referred to Big Brothers Big Sisters of the Sun Coast often suffer from a low self-esteem, perform poorly academically, and exhibit risky behaviors.

Under Ms. Mahler’s leadership, the agency has had a consistent history of making a profound impact on the lives of the children it serves. Year after year, more than 90% of the at-risk children the Agency serves improve or maintain satisfactory academic achievement, reap self-confidence gains, and avoid risky behaviors.

Today's youth face a variety of challenges, and being matched with a Big Brother or Big Sister helps them navigate these challenges and reach their potential. When children and teens have the positive influence of a caring adult, they are more likely to avoid risky behaviors and to focus on academics. Big Brothers Big Sisters of the Sun Coast holds itself accountable to its supporters by regularly measuring its impact.

Little Brother Andrew Planes, who has been matched for eight years with his Big Brother, Jason Puckett, had this to say: “Having a successful mentor who works in a field in which I’m interested is really meaningful to me, especially because at one point in his life (probably more than just one point) he was a confused teenager just like me. My Big Brother is both my friend and an inspiration, helping me with my school and personal issues. He’s really helped mold me as a young man and I’m extremely thankful for that.”

About Big Brothers Big Sisters of the Sun CoastBig Brothers Big Sisters of the Sun Coast provides one-to-one mentoring relationships to children ages 6-21 years old throughout the Gulf Coast of Florida in Sarasota, Manatee, DeSoto, Highlands, Hardee, Charlotte, Lee, Hendry and Collier counties. Big Brothers Big Sisters of the Sun Coast holds itself accountable for children in its program to achieve measurable outcomes, such as educational success, the avoidance of risky behaviors, and higher aspirations, greater confidence and better relationships. The organization provides children facing adversity with strong and enduring, professionally supported one-to-one mentoring relationships that change their lives for the better, forever. For more information, please visit their FB page here.